LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE Volume 11 • Issue 31 • August 5 – August 11, 2016
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • (518) 581-2480
Taxpayers to Foot Mayor’s $12k Bill “Why should the City pay for it?”
by Norra Reyes Saratoga TODAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 2, at City Hall ran very late and covered quite a bit of ground, ranging from a Code Blue update to billing the taxpayers over $12,000 for Mayor Joanne Yepsen’s legal fees in her response to the City’s Board of Ethics findings against her.
~ Anthony "Skip" Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works
At the beginning of the meeting, the mayor handed out copies of the rules of conduct governing the council meetings, and
VIRAL!
Local’s Photo Gets Worldwide Exposure by Arthur Gonick Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — When Kasandra Carda decided to buzz into Dunkin Donuts on South Broadway, on Tuesday, July 26, about 10 a.m. for some quick refreshment on her
Photo by Kasandra Carda
way to some real estate appointment, she had no idea that her life was about to change. “I went in that side entrance—the one only locals know about,” she said with a smile. And there it was. The perfect, See Viral pg. 36
arguments ensued throughout the meeting as to who was breaking which rules. Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan brought
up a concern of meetings not staying on point, and of not feeling safe, to which City Attorney Tony Izzo suggested a higher security presence, but Madigan clarified that she is requesting council members have the authority the mayor does to remove people from the room. A discussion also ensued regarding spillover of acrimonious behavior from the council chamber into City Hall, which See Taxpayers pg. 13
A Bridge Too Far? NYS DOT Deliberating Fate of Nelson Ave. Ext. Bridge
by Maureen Werther Saratoga TODAY SARATOGA SPRINGS — The recent news that the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) may consider demolishing the Nelson Avenue Extension bridge has caused an uproar in the surrounding communities of Saratoga and Malta. Built in 1960, the bridge serves as a main route for residents on the east side of the Northway who travel into the city of Saratoga Springs for business, medical needs, school and social activities. Upon hearing the news,
PARENTAL WARNING
concerned citizens in the community immediately began circulating a petition to raise awareness of the DOT’s intentions and try to put a stop to the proposed plan. They cited a number of reasons why it is critical that the bridge remain in place and the DOT opt for repair rather than demolition. Suzanne Balet-Height, author of the “Save the Bridge” petition, noted that, in addition to regular traffic for purposes of business or recreation, the bridge serves as a critical access route for emergency vehicles that would otherwise be forced to use other,
Blotter 5
See Bridge pg. 10
Sports 52-55
See pg. 11
Inside TODAY Obituaries 6-7 Business 14-15 Education 16-17 Pulse 35-38 Winner’s Circle
45-51